Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-12
Five United States.
From the Boston Advertiser.

From the Boston Advertiser.
Tentatively, jealousy guarding their individual
State rights, burning no bridges behind them, but
sending test loads in advance, the republics OF
Central America are slowly drawing toward an
ideal political union. To-day they are near the
position OF the North American colonies, forming
federation for the common defense except that
in concerning measures for the common welfare
they are represented by ENJOYS In council rather
than by legislative assembly OF delegates in
Congress.
On the 18th of September, 1885, the first stem To-
ward political union was taken by the atriple al
lance" OF Guatemala, Salvador and Honduras.
This step was looked upon aSkance by the States
OF Nicaragua and costa Rica, which feared some
covert design against their Independence and sc.
cur1ty. Apparently the apprehensions OF these
States were unfounded, for this year we see the
two tagging republics admitted TO the league in
an alliance OF 'peace. friendship, and commerce,
drawn even more closely than the preceding CON-
pact.
There is now an agreement of the five republics
to maintain perpetual peace and friendship to
settle all disputes by arbitration or amicable dis
their laws OF commerce, navigation, and naturali-
zation In conformity with one another, to provide
for an interchangeable currency, and to guarantee
equal rights throughout the federation TO all ci1-
Zens, as well as religious liberty and secular
schools In the provision for the settlement OF dis
putes it is stipulated that il the several govern
mentS should not agree upon an arbitrator within
four months from the demand OF any one OF them
for submission or the dispute to that mode OF de-
termination, tnen the arbitrator Shall be chosen
by lot from among the following named govern
mentS: Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France
Spain, England, Argentina, Chill, Mexico, Anglo
America.
The compact providing for defense covers not
only attacks rrOm foreign powers, but also inter-
nal revolutions. Political offences are to be re-
pressed and punished by joint action as II they
were assaults upon the States from foreign
sources. The plan OF federation is avowedly u
Stepping-StOne to the establishment .of necessary
foundations for the not distant advent OF the
political union OF Central America" To advance
this union commission OF two delegates from
each State, two months after the exchange of
publications. Is directed to ordinate the several
laws respecting money, weights and measures,
commerce, and the civil and penal codes.
Every second year diet OF Central America,
composed Of 1.-TWO plenipOtentiar1es from each
State. }" will meet ''tO form such new treaties as
experience Shall have shown to be necessary. to
reform any existing faults In the alliance to dis
cUSS any new measures of Importance, and ~
prepare the way by pacific means for the political
union OF Central America" TO this ultimate end
the plenipOtentartes OF each State in the Diet
that will open September ID, 1880. Twill carry
Instructions and powers il the obstacles that now
impede the union shall have been overcome, to
Republic In the form most agreeable to the gen.
eral welfare"
Until this union shall be consummated the diet
will sit alternately In the several State captalA
II 1t Is effected, the United States OF Central
America will form republic OF 1900, 900 inhabi-
tants, in round numbers. settled upon an area
about six times as large as Maine. Even after the
union, our country viii be commonly spoken Of as
the United States OF America.